Oracle of Initiation - tarot decks

Price: US $14.43

ProductID: alt0494

The Oracle of Initiation - Rainbows in the Dark is a multi-layered deck ideal for inner work and spiritual transformation.

The imagery for the 66 cards is sourced from unaltered photographs taken by the artist herself while in the natural desert

landscape of New Mexico.

Specifications

Name

Oracle of Initiation

Creators

Mellissae Lucia

Publisher

Self Published 2012

Deck Type

Oracle Deck

Cards

66

Card Language

English

Companion Material

398 page companion book.

Reviews

This is a 66 card deck, with a 398 page companion book. The cards are divided into eight different sections, with each section representing a different realm, which together encompass the basis of an archetypal journey of spiritual awakening. The structure of the deck is cyclical ... throughout each of the eight realms, eight stages are echoed.

Lucia suggests in her companion book that each individual get to know each card intuitively before reading what has been written about it. In this manner the written material acts as a "backup", or referral, for what each individual feels about a given card.

The book is divided into three sections: the introduction, which talks about the process of creating the cards and the story that they tell; the second part of the book describes the structure of the cards, and how to use it; the third part of the book contains the descriptions of the cards. I dearly love that this last section is tabbed, for easy access!

At the end of the book we find a listing of the Guardians referred to, the eight reading spreads, a section on inspirations and resources, along with a list of artists and contributors.

Lucia defines initiation as as an invitation to move into the deep knowing within us. There is a need for us to step outside of the mundane and meet the world through our mythical mind. Lucia claimed her freedom through union with the wilderness. Working with the cards, according to Lucia, is a form of vision quest.

She also talks about the gift connected with each gateway:

The Gift of Innocence - Love
The Gift of Exploration - Purpose
The Gift of Initiation - Surrender
The Gift of Discernment - Magic
The Gift of Alliance - Collaboration
The Gift of Balance - Gratitude
The Gift of Offering - Passion
The Gift of Unity - Beauty

Each card contains a full page black and white scan, along with the intent of the card, the deity referenced, and the oracle speaking through diverse figures, such as Morwenna Morasch, Pele, Hecate, and more.

The cards are 4 1/4" by 6", of glossy cardstock. The backs are black, with a green circle in the center surrounded by a black circle, which is surrounded by a red circle. These are all muted colors. Diagonally across the circle are back to back small "i's". The backs are reversible.

The card faces show a black background, with muted imagery. All of the images are of Lucia herself. In lower right hand corner of each card is the card number and name. The Gateway's each start out with a triangular form, representing the Norse Sami Lavo tee pee. They have their title in the lower right hand corner.

The Gateway of Initiation shows a burnt brown background, with two crossed swords at the top of the triangle.
Unconscious, card 6, shows a blurred face in the upper left hand corner, against a black background. Unconscious is entitled The Alliance of Innocence (Shrouded Trance). The associated deity is Shiva.

This is a fantastic deck for inner work ... you will find many layers in each card ... and you may find things that you did not bargain for. There is movement, life, and force in the imagery of these cards. Be prepare to know yourself!